Monday, October 31, 2005

I can't say it is going all that well. There just isn't much in my price range in my neighborhood. I have seen a couple of things that were ok but too expensive, a couple of things that were not ok and still too expensive, and one thing that was really inexpensive (by today's sick and twisted definition of the word) but really not ok.I guess the upside to all this is an evolving definition of what "ok" means to me. I can live in a very small amount of space (350 sq ft can feel luxurious). I don't need a doorman or an elevator. I don't need a place to be in immaculate, brand-new condition. But I do need to be able to look out the window at something other than a wall, and get some sun for at least a few hours a day. I saw a studio this weekend that was almost perfect in so many ways. I didn't love that it was a 4th-floor walk-up, but I could have dealt with that. It was a condo with access to a common roof deck (with an incredible view of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty), it was right across the street from the park, convenient to transit, beautifully renovated, huge kitchen, great closets, and the monthly costs would have worked out to be really low (though I kept suspecting that the agent was wrong about the taxes being included in the common charges). But the total lack of light was a killer. I just couldn't do it. I kept thinking how depressed I would be all winter not being able to see anything but a brick wall or someone else's window right in my face. I lived in a place like that once, and aside from the intriguing voyeuristic opportunities, it made me miserable.I'm trying not to be too much of a demanding buyer here-- I know I will never find the perfect apartment. In fact I bid on one that was far from perfect, and it still burns me that I didn't get it!But at least I was slightly reassured by the agent who showed me the place. She was quite frank about how the market is cooling down-- places are staying on the market longer, and if sellers don't get offers within 2 weeks, they're lowering prices. Keep your fingers crossed for me, dear readers!

6 comments:

You will find your place and you will know it when you see it. If you are like me, you will be able to look past all the bad wall paper, beige walls, old appliances, worn-out carpet, turqoise bathroom counter, and scary face drawn on the old basement wall (I'm not kidding), and see your dream home.

It's taken me three years, but all but the turquoise counter and scary face have been remedied, and I've actually grown quite fond of one of them - I'll give you one hint... it's not the turquoise counter ;)

Good luck on your house search! I also heard that if you can stomach living in a fixer upper for about one or two years, during which renovations will slowly take place, you'll end up saving more money. According to my sister who has two houses now.

Me, I'm looking through home listings for "fun" and to get a feel of the market in my area. I did notice the houses being on the market a bit longer than they used to be earlier during the year.

anyway, Good luck and i'm sure the best house will come along your way!

a sunlit table. I saw something else like this that channeled sunlight into a home through a parabolic mirror on the roof. I'm sorry I can't find the link right now. I could probably dig it up though...

Have you thought about Ditmas Park. My partner and I just bought there and love it. We can very easily visit our friends in Park Slope or get into Manhattan. Since closing May 2005 our apartment has gone up about 60K in value!

About Me

My name is Madame X, and I am a 40-something single woman living in Brooklyn, NY. I write about how much money I make, what I spend it on, how much I save, how I budget, my home-buying experiences, my financial goals and ambitions, my thoughts on class and what it means to be rich or poor, and anything else that relates to money. (More about me here, here, and here.)If you take any of my advice, do so at your own risk as I am not really qualified to give it. If you have advice to share, please do, and many thanks!Ad proceeds from this site are donated to worthy causes.